A fierce battle between Boko Haram's JAS faction and rival ISWAP has left more than 50 fighters dead on Toumbun Gini island in Abadam LGA, Borno State.
Security sources reported the Sunday afternoon clash at around 3 pm, triggered by ISWAP's failed bid to retake the island, which recently fell to JAS control.
ISWAP deployed 10 motorized boats in a surprise assault, but JAS leaders, tipped off by intelligence, ambushed the invaders."At exactly 1500 hours, ISWAP boats landed and what was planned as a surprise offensive quickly turned into a deadly trap.
The first shots were decisive. JAS fighters overpowered them within minutes. ISWAP was routed," one source told Zagazola Makama.
Over 50 ISWAP fighters were killed, seven boats captured, and the three survivors fled with heavy losses.
Graphic video footage of the aftermath emerged online Sunday.This marks Day 5 of escalating turf wars between the factions over Lake Chad islands' resources and dominance.
The infighting could drive surviving ISWAP elements into mainland areas near Kukawa, Monguno, and Marte LGAs, heightening threats to civilians and troops.
While the rivalry has eroded both groups' capacity for major attacks, it risks spawning elusive splinter cells.
Zagazola noted the Lake Chad skirmishes as a "conflict within a conflict," with Nigerian forces caught in the crossfire.
"This is the best time for the military to tighten the corridor and deny both factions space to regroup."
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